Offaly claimed the Celtic Challenge Division One title at Nowlan Park.
Corn Michael Hogan (Celtic Challenge Division 1 Final)
Offaly 4-10 Kilkenny South 3-12
Hopes were high that this new crop of Offaly hurlers would instil new belief in the Faithful County, while South Kilkenny were just building on the foundations of previous generations of success.
Proceedings commenced on a positive note for the young cats, who raced into an early and short lived two point lead as Conor Murphy and Daithi Barron were the scoretakers before Offaly freetaker Darragh Tierney responded with the opening score for his side.
Daithi Barron and Tierney swapped scores before another brace of Tierney points appeared to give Offaly confidence. Ted Drea and Tierney kept on the scoring spree going as the sides were deadlocked at the end of the opening quarter at 0-5 each.
Then Eunan Martin's Offaly took control, first up was Oisin Hickey, who goaled in the 17th minute quickly followed by Brendan Hoctor who appeared to get the final touch to his side's second goal.
John Murphy was next up for Offaly as he struck (1-1) in a minute as 10 points now divided the sides with five minutes left in the first half. Darragh Tierney made it 11 before Kilkenny rallied somewhat scoring three of the last scores of the first half to retire (3-8) to (0-8) in arrears at the break.
Niall Hayden and Darragh Tierney exchanged frees by the 33rd minute. Ethan Phelan struck for a well taken Kilkenny goal after 36 minutes and this was added to by a Ted Drea point that left five points between the side's after 40 minutes.
Realising that South Kilkenny were in a battle royale ensured that the remaining 20 minutes were played out with huge ferocity and effort by both sides.
John Murphy ensured six points was the gap at the end of the third quarter. Both sides missed clear goal chances and with each minute Offaly could sense the possibility of success. This advantage lasted until the 51st minute when Bill Delahunty tipped a rebound from a Conor Murphy goal effort to the Offaly net.
Daithi Barron added a point within seconds and now the score stood at (3-10) to (2-11) with eight minutes to play. Offaly, to their credit stuck at their task and did not collapse and in a counter attack struck for goal number four as a ball sent in by Oisin Murphy was sent to the net by John Murphy once again.
Now with five points again the gap it appeared Offaly had amassed a sizable lead to survive five more minutes action but dont ever discount Kilkenny. Bill Delahunty narrowed it to four in the 58th minute.
Offaly defended with huge honesty and managed to concede just one free in the 61st minute and this was blasted past Conor Brophill by Niall Hayden as just one point was the difference. Two more minutes elapsed before Offaly were crowned champions of the Celtic Challenge.
Offaly: Conor Brophill, Dominic Healy, Ross Connaughton, Ciaran Guinan, Ryan Hogan, Timmy Cox, Aidan King, Oisin Murphy, Darragh Tierney (0-7), Cillian Troy, Cillian Ryan, Cathal O Meara (0-1), Oisin Hickey (1-0), Michael Milne, Brendan Hoctor (1-0). Subs: James Murphy (2-2).
South Kilkenny: Gavin Grant, Jack Cleary, John Burnes, Jack Cullen, Sam O Dwyer, Michael Carey, Evan Shefflin (0-1), Richard Hennessy (0-1), Niall Hayden (1-1), Daithi Barron (0-5), Martin Davis, Conor Murphy (0-1), Ethan Phelan (1-0), Ted Drea (0-2), Robert Dunne. Subs: Bill Delahunty (1-1).
South Wexford prevailed following a gripping Division Two decider.
Corn John Scott (Celtic Challenge Division Two Final)
South Wexford 4-11 Kerry 2-15
Another novel pairing in a national hurling final in Nowlan park as Kerry met South Wexford in the Division 2 Corn John Scott decider.
A powerful start by the Kerry side, led Barry O Mahony, saw them surge into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead after eight minutes. Indeed O Mahony was responsible for four of the five scores with Gearoid Fennessy hitting the fifth Kerry point.
A Michael Slattery goal had Kerry 1-10 to 0-5 in front after 22 minutes.
But South Wexford were beginning to find space down the centre of the Kerry defence. South Wexford rallied with a point from Sean Banville and a Sean Nolan goal before a free from Kyle Firman cut the Kerry lead. Barry O'Mahony settled the nerves of the Munster side with a late first half to see them 1-11 to 1-7 ahead at the break.
In the third quarter Wexford's James Kelly blasted home, and Kerry now were in a battle royale after looking comfortable. Gavin Dooley and Kevin Firman added points in the 40th and 46th minutes as the rate of scoring slowed down considerably. Slattery struck a brilliant goal for Kerry as the drama continued.
A penalty was awarded and up stepped Jamie Myler but his shot was cleared by Adam O Sullivan. Myler was distraught, but more was to come. He remained unnoticed up in the Kerry 14 yard line. Within 30 seconds he was the hero as Kyle Firman sent in a floater that bounced and Myler, unmarked, stroked the ball over the Kerry line.
South Wexford were a point clear and they denied Kerry any chance of a draw with a 63rd minute Kyle Firman free to set up final whistle scenes of extreme joy and heartbreak in equal measure.
**South Wexford: **Fionn Slattery, Philip Dempsey, Rickey McGrath, Gavin Sheehan, Eoin O Neill, Jamie Myler (1-1), Ben Maddock, Adam Cantwell (0-1), Chris Cowman, Kyle Firman (0-6), James Kelly (1-0), Sean Nolan (2-2), Sean Banville (0-1), Sam Wall, Jack O Leary.
Kerry: Adam O Sullivan, Jack McKenna, Conor O Keeffe, Philip Maunsell, Darragh Behan, Evan Murphy, Gary Carey, Niall O Mahony, Gearoid Fennessy (0-1), Darragh Goulding, Barry O Mahony (0-11), Padraig O Mahony, Michael McCarthy, Gavin Dooley (0-2), Michael Slattery (2-1).
North Wexford defeated Dublin Plunkett.
Corn William Robinson (Celtic Challenge Division Three Final)
North Wexford 5-13 Dublin Plunkett 1-14
A scoring burst by North Wexford corner forward Chris Turner was the main news in the first half played at sunny Nowlan Park.
Turner had the ball in the Dublin net in the first minute and quickly added a point after four minutes before Dublin Plunkett wing forward Emmet Allen, who was impressive throughout the hour had his sides first score after seven minutes.
Chris Turner's added 1-1 to edge Wexford 2-2 to 0-3 ahead. Dublin full forward Cormac Quinn and Emmet Allen responded with a minor each, but there was no mercy being shown by Turner who also hit a brace of scores immediately after the Dublin response to see North Wexford hold a 2-4 to 0-5 lead with Turner responsible for all his side's scores.
Finally, another Wexford player got in on the scoring act when Jack Reck hit over a point before Dublin Plunkett announced that the second half would be competitive. Conal Burke (3) and Cormac Quinn (2) were sensational in a six minute spell and now only two points divided the sides.
This scoring spree warned North Wexford of the Dublin potential and they finished the first half with a vital scoring burst North Wexford were awarded a penalty after Eoghan Reynolds pulled down North wexford corner forward Daryll Grey. A stunning penalty strike by Christ Turner flew past Cathal McLaughlin the Dublin goal as North Wexford went in 3-7 to 0-10 in front at half-time.
Emmet Allen led the way in the opening two minutes with two scores for Dublin Plunkett. Charlie McGuckian responded for the Slaneysiders to stop any Dublin revivial.
A high delivery sent into the Dublin square by Jack Reck was not controlled, and the inrushing Darryl Gray flicked the sliotar to the Wexford net for the game's fourth goal.
Robert Kennedy was on the end of a sweeping movement to finish from close range for a Dublin goal.
North Wexford: Jack Quinn, Niall NImmo, Cathal O Reilly, James Dempsey, Rory Heffernan, Mike Kelly, Barry Doyle, Jack Reck (0-2), Geoff Tobin, Eoin Cullen (0-1), Edward Dunbarr, Charlie McGuckian (0-2), Daryll Gray (1-0), Cathal Doyle, Chris Turner (3-7). Subs: Cian Fitzhenry (0-1),
Dublin Plunkett: Cathal McLaughlin, Shane Kavanagh (0-2), Eoin Reynolds, Eoghan Reynolds, Luke Walsh (0-1), Donal Ryan, Darragh Levins, Diarmuid O Floinn,, Eoghan McKay, Brian Moran, Mark Tracey, Emmet Allen (0-6), Conall Burke (0-3), Cormac Quinn (0-3), Michael Noonan. Subs: Robert Kennedy (1-0).
Waterford City players celebrate.
Corn Jerome O Leary (Celtic Challenge Division 4 Final)
Waterford City 2-14 Laois 0-14
Waterford City carved out a win over Laois at Nowlan Park in the Division Four Final.
The crucial score in the first half arrived when Brian Cooke burst through and gave Mark Hanlon no chance in the Laois goal. That put Waterford four points clear, but it was highly competitive until the interval with a Laois point from Ryan Murphy narrowing the gap to 1-6 to 0-6.
As the game entered the final quarter it was clear that the next goal would be the winner. Niall Dunphy and Joe Phelan exchanged points as the game entered the final 10 minutes deadlocked.
Laois took the lead for the first time since the first minute when Daniel Comeford sent over a smart effort only for this lead to be shortlived as a resurgent Waterford levelled matters thanks to a great score from Luke Flynn.
With the Waterford half back line now commanding under the Laois puck out they seemed capable of holding out for the win especially when Evan McGrath sent his colleagues two points clear following two scores in a minute. When Niall Dunphy once more from a free left three in the game it looked as if Laois needed a goal to force extra time. Podge Delaney hit over a 45 metre free to leave two between the sides entering the final minute.
Late on Brian Cooke raced clear to score a great solo goal and within seconds the game was over the Jerome O Leary Cup was heading to the sunny south east.
Waterford City: Eoghan Browne, Tadgh Foley, Peter Grogan, David Jordan, Daire O Keeffe, Dale Cullinane, Peter Boylan (0-1), Niall Dunphy (0-6), Sean Carton, Luke Flynn (0-1), Mikey Mulcahy, Ed Cullen, Evan McGrath (0-3), Brian Cooke (2-1), Jack Troy (0-1).
**Laois: **Mark Hanlon, John Maher, Robert Tyrrell, Eoin Carey, Eoin Gaughan, Podge Delaney (0-4), Ryan Murphy (0-1), Dylan Russell (0-1), Diarmuid Conway, Cathal Moore, Daniel Comerford (0-1), Christ Rafter (0-1), Aaron Gaughan, Joe Phelan (0-2), Brandon McGinley (0-2). Subs: William Abbott (0-2).
Wicklow won the Division Five Final.
Corn Michael Feery (Celtic Challenge Division 5 Final)
Wicklow 4-13 Westmeath 1-15
A novel, but intriguing pairing in this Corn Michael Feery final in Nowlan Park.
Wicklow, who were being mentored by eight time All Ireland medal winner Michael Kavanagh were very much in contention.
At the interval Wicklow led by 2-5 to 0-10 courtesy of two Jonathan O'Neill goals.
A stern review of the first half carried out by Westmeath led to a more cohesive attack minded unit in the second half.
The first delivery of the new half was sent in by Eoin Fox, caught by Brian McHugh who got the ball over the line and once again Westmeath were ahead by two points.
Ian Clancy, Eoin Commins (2) and Padraig O Toole ensured that supporters of both sides had plenty to cheer about as they all managed to hit minors by the 40th minute. Most importantly from a Westmeath viewpoint they were (1-12) to (2-7) ahead.
Once again goals came to the rescue of Sean Hayes's side as a long range effort by Wicklow midfielder Matthew Traynor went all the way to the top corner of Michael Carroll's goalmouth.
Stephen Clarke managed a point in the 44th and once more in the 45th minute but a stunning goal by Padraig O Toole and Wicklow's fourth followed by points from Gary Hughes and Eanna Owens negated all this good Westmeath work as Wicklow held out.
Westmeath: Michael Carroll, Charles Flynn, Anthony Fagan, Jordan Williams, Lean Broderick, Adam Ennis, Fiachra Heeney, Eoin Fox, Eoin Commins (0-5), Stephen Clarke (0-4), Brian McHugh (1-1), Sean Dowd (0-2), Shane Broughan, Padraig Kane, Ciaran O Brien (0-1). Subs: Sean Rock (0-1).
Wickow: Cian Staunton, Killian Hannon, Bryan Kearney, Ross Ward, Padraig O Toole (1-1), Conor Deering (0-1), MJ Moran, Ian Clancy (0-3), Matthew Traynor (1-0), Eoghan Potts, Gary Hughes (0-4), George Hughes, George O Brien (0-1), Jonathan O Neill (2-1), Cal Connolly (1-1), Brandon Scully. Subs: Eanna Owens (0-1).
Reports by Michael O'Connor.
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